PHOENIX, Sept. 28, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — In conjunction with World Rabies Day, North Central Animal Hospital announced that the practice is offering rabies vaccinations for $5. The discount is designed to encourage pet owners to make sure pets are up to date on this critical vaccination. Rabies is a virus that is passed between animals when infected saliva comes in contact with open wounds, or an infected animals bites a pet or a human. The virus has been seen all over the world and is common in the wild. Vaccinations are essential to preventing the disease from affecting family pets.

World Rabies Day is September 28, 2014 and to celebrate, North Central Animal Hospital is offering rabies vaccinations for only $5. The discounted vaccination rate is good through the end of 2014.

“Every year, beloved family pets must be put to sleep because they are exposed to a rabid wild animal,” said Dr. Hillary Frank, a veterinarian at North Central Animal Hospital. “Keeping pets up to date on rabies vaccinations is the best way to prevent infection and avoid such a tragic end for beloved family pets.”

Rabies is a serious viral disease that results in death for animals that are infected. The virus affects an animal’s central nervous system, causing erratic, unpredictable behavior. When wild animals are affected, the virus often causes these animals to be more aggressive towards humans and pets. Rabid mountain lions, for instance, have attacked campers and their dogs almost every year in Arizona. If the pet is not vaccinated, it is at risk for rabies.

Dr. Frank stressed that even indoor pets need to be vaccinated against rabies.

“Indoor pets can contract rabies if a rabid animal enters the house through an attic or basement,” said Dr. Frank. “Sadly, if the pet is not vaccinated against rabies, he may have to be put down or undergo a 6 month quarantine. Vaccinations are essential to ensuring pet and human safety.”

Rabies symptoms typically appear about 10 days to two months after the initial infection but this can vary. A dog or cat that has bitten a person or another pet is quarantined for 10 days, because if the virus was transferred via saliva at the time of the bite, the animal will show symptoms or die from Rabies within 10 days.

There is no cure for rabies. Consequently, vaccinating pets is essential to protecting them from contracting the disease. Once a pet begins showing rabies symptoms, no medical intervention is available to stop the disease’s progression.

Puppies and kittens are generally vaccinated against rabies by the age of three months. A second booster shot is given 12 months after the initial vaccination. Additional booster shots may be necessary every one to three years.

A kitten reacts as volunteers administer vaccinations. About 50 pets received vaccinations at the clinic, sponsored by Valley Animal Partners, with volunteer veterinarians and a grant from the Snoqualmie Tribe

— image credit: Courtesy photo

Valley Animal Partners held its third pet vaccination event on Saturday, Sept. 6. Limited income residents from the Snoqualmie Valley came to the Mount Si Senior Center to take advantage of free vaccinations for their pets. Volunteers provided rabies and distemper vaccines, and microchips to approximately 50 Snoqualmie Valley dogs and cats.

Dr. Julia Parker and vet tech Laurie Bachtel from the Snoqualmie Valley Animal Hospital in Fall City, and Dr. Karianne Allen from Annotto Bay Vet Clinic in Issaquah, and friend, Cassandra Beck, donated their time and compassion to the Valley’s pets. North Bend’s Pet Place Market donated pet food, and the Snoqualmie Tribe provided a grant for the clinic.

Valley Animal Partners is a non-profit organization, primarily raising funds to help Snoqualmie Valley seniors, veterans and families with limited income, spay and neuter their pets. Upcoming events include the annual Chili Cook-off and Dessert Auction Saturday, Nov. 1, at the Snoqualmie Valley Eagles Club in Snoqualmie, and the ever-popular Barko! (Bunko) in the spring. Learn more at www.valleyanimalpartners.com, or www.facebook.com/pages/Valley-Animal-Partners/229545850954.

Dump the excuses: No-nonsense reasons to get a pet license

People offer lots of reasons for not licensing their pets. Some of the most common reasons, and their responses:

“It’s an indoor-only pet.”

Even “indoor” pets can get out, and if they do, they are more likely to return safely home if they’re licensed.

“My cat won’t wear a collar.”

Try a different collar. There are many types and sizes, and you may want to ask for help or recommendations from an expert like your veterinarian.

“I got the license at the vet.” People often get these two things confused, but the veterinarian provides a proof of rabies vaccination, not a license. Your pet is required to have both. You can find out where to get a pet license here: http://www.kingcounty.gov/safety/regionalAnimalServices/License/Licensing_Locations.aspx.

“I don’t want to spend the money.” Licensing your pet is part of being a responsible pet owner, and it helps more than just your pet. Pet license revenue goes directly into animal services, including pet care, adoptions, returning lost pets and investigations of animal cruelty.

South Florida pet owners may be known to pamper their “fur babies” with hundred-dollar ball gowns, pet proms, doggie day care and “pupscale” pet lodges, but Fido and Felix can still get into stomach-turning mischief.

“We get a lot of crazy things,” said Palm Beach Veterinary Specialists’ veterinarian Dr. Robert Roy, recalling the yellow lab that swallowed a sewing needle and the cat that ate fishing bait — hook, line and all.

At Boynton Beach Animal Hospital, staffers recall a small Chihuahua/terrier mix that had ingested not only its owner’s area rug, but her underwear, pantyhose, tampons and artificial plants, too. The household items were safely removed during surgery.

“It was like a Hoover vacuum,” said surgical nurse Billie Gaetano,of the 15-pound dog with the bloated belly. “The owner had no idea the dog did that, until it started gagging and puking. I looked in its mouth, and I saw bits of rug, and I just kept pulling and pulling.”

Here are some of the most unusual stories shared by South Florida veterinarians. All end happily,with the adventurous animals surviving to live, and eat indigestible objects, another day.

However, they offer a cautionary tale: Fido and Felix will eat just about anything when you’re not looking. So watch out!

With this ring …

Unlike many owners unaware of what’s ailing their pet, the seasonal Palm Beach County resident who called the Boynton Beach Animal Hospital in a panic last year knew exactly what her Wheaten terrier had ingested: her 5-carat diamond ring. And she wanted it back.

Gaetano told her just how to get the dirty deed done: “Follow the dog around and wait for it to pop out” in one of the animal’s daily bowel movements.

It worked. “It came out shinier than it was when it went in,” Gaetano said, with a chuckle.

Ready to run

Don’t underestimate a dog’s ability to get what it wants.

One yellow Labrador treated at Boca North Animal Hospital in June leapt onto a kitchen counter and tore through an entire case of protein bars — boxes, bars, “wrappers and all,”veterinarian Dr. Dwyatt Bull said.

It was a pet-sitting nightmare. The sitter had ordered the case off the Internet, and by the time the owner returned from an out-of-town trip, “the feces had hit the air circulator,” Bull said.

Over the next few days, the dog released about a dozen wrappers on its own. Then it started exhibiting tell-tale signs — vomiting, diarrhea and loss of appetite. Bull figured only surgery would relieve the blockage.

He removed at least 15 more wrappers during the operation.

“There were a ton of them,” Bull said. The dog suffered no lasting side effects.

MIDDLETOWN, N.Y., Sept. 14, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The veterinary team at Ani-Mall Pet Hospital is announcing that the hospital is now offering Bravecto for flea and tick control. Bravecto is a chewable tablet offering up to 12 weeks of flea and tick protection. It is safe for use with adult dogs and puppies aged six months or older who weigh at 4.4 pounds. Flea and tick protection is important year-round for Middletown pets, says the veterinary team at Ani-Mall Pet Hospital.

Year-round flea and tick protection is an important part of pet wellness care. The Ani-Mall Pet Hospital veterinarians say pet owners now have an easier way to protect their pets, thanks to the chewable tablet Bravecto. The tablet offers protection against fleas and ticks for up to 12 weeks.

“Bravecto provides broad-spectrum and long-lasting protection,” said veterinarian Dr. Michael Barra. “It begins killing fleas and ticks within two hours and treats and controls four tick species. It is the only pill that is good for up to 12 weeks, which makes treatment and protection incredibly easy and effective.”

Thanks to the chewable tablet’s effectiveness and ease-of-use, Ani-Mall Pet Hospital is now recommending Bravecto for their pet patients.

Fleas and ticks are more than just pesky parasites, warns Dr. Barra. Protecting pets is essential to preventing the spread of serious diseases. Ticks, for example, can spread Lyme disease, which can be difficult to detect and cause serious neurological problems in infected pets.

Fleas are also a serious problem. A single fleabite can cause an allergic reaction in pets that lasts for up to seven days. Fleas can live outside in grass, soil and even sidewalk cracks. Once fleas enter a home, fleas can spread to carpets, upholstery and rugs, causing serious infestation that can be a real headache to treat.

“Prevention is always the best treatment,” said Dr. Barra. “That’s why we recommend oral flea and tick medication. It’s the easiest way to keep pets flea and tick free. Many pet owners also find it easier than applying topical treatments.”

In addition to year-round flea and tick protection, Dr. Barra is also reminding pet owners about the importance of heartworm protection. Ani-Mall Pet Hospital offers several types of heartworm medication for puppies, kittens, adult cats, and adult dogs. The veterinarian recommends pet owners schedule a diagnostic appointment to determine the best medication for a pet’s lifestyle. All pets should be on a regular heartworm medication, says the veterinarian.

“Protecting pets from fleas, ticks and heartworms is absolutely essential to a pet’s well-being,” said Dr. Barra. “We offer a variety of different medications and are happy to make recommendations during an annual wellness exam or any appointment.”

A 12-year-old Hungarian boy has ended up with several stitches on his left hand after being bitten by his pet iguana at his Palm Jumeirah penthouse in Dubai on Sunday.

Kevin Kristof Gali, a Grade 7 student, was feeding Dragon, his three-year-old pet iguana, around 11am when the 1.5-metre-long reptile grabbed at his hand, digging deep into his flesh.

“I tried to yank my hand away and that possibly made things worse,” said Kevin, who brought Dragon home from a pet shop when he was just a week old and 60 cm long.

“Usually, when I feed Dragon, he closes his eyes and lets me do my thing. Sunday was no different but as I was trying to take his empty food plate from inside the cage, it accidentally touched him. He must have got frightened, so he bit my hand.”

As Kevin’s hand hurt and bled, his mother Bettina rushed him to Mediclinic City Hospital after administering first aid.

Dr Yasser Khattab, specialist plastic surgeon, who attended to Kevin, said: “The wound from the iguana’s bite was 12 cm long, 8 cm wide and 2 cm deep. It was spread over the front and back of the hand besides the thumb joint. But the boy was lucky as it missed the artery, nerves and bone.”

He said Kevin’s wound was thoroughly cleaned and he was administered antibiotics and a tetanus vaccine before he was put under the knife. “The wound was repaired with sutures under local anaesthesia. Any delay could have devitalised the tissues.”

He said iguanas are not meant to be kept as pets. “They can attack, accidentally or otherwise. Even with regular pets like cats and dogs, we have to be very careful when there are children around.”

He said he sees at least two cases of pet attacks in a week where children, including toddlers, are injured severely in the face or neck by cats and dogs. “Animal bites can be potentially infectious, so we give antibiotics and observe the patient for 48 hours. If it’s a toxic bite, we administer anti-venom too.”

Once bitten twice shy. Kevin said the experience had taught him a valuable lesson: “Research fully before you a get a pet. Take him on only if you know everything about him and you can take full responsibility for his care.”

While he has never shirked from his responsibilities of feeding Dragon or cleaning after him, Kevin said he didn’t expect that his little iguana would grow so big and so fast. His mother said she had repeatedly advised him against bringing the reptile home but he had been adamant.

Used to having his chihuahua dog Bacon and cat Tiger around, Kevin said he never thought the iguana would be any different. “Earlier, I would keep Dragon in my room. He would even swim in my bath tub and I would take him round the house on my shoulder. But as he grew older and bigger, that was not possible. We had to get him a big cage in the balcony outside with the right amount of light, heat and humidity he needed.”

He said Dragon is usually well-behaved and never messes around. “He is a very happy pet and I don’t know what put him off the other day. It was totally unexpected.”

Did you know?

Green Iguanas are herbivorous reptiles that eat leaves, veggies and fruit. They conserve energy and spend time basking and resting. In the west they are considered great companions but need care and planning as they can grow up to six feet.

A TOOWOOMBA veterinarian is urging all pet owners to be aware of the potential harmful effects dental disease can have on their animals.

Dr Paul Sheedy from The Toowoomba Veterinary Hospital said that four out of five dogs and cats over the age of three years have some sort of dental disease, which may go unnoticed by their owners.

August is Pet Dental Month, an initiative of the Australian Veterinary Association and the aim of the campaign is to educate pet owners about the benefits of annual dental health checks and regular tooth brushing.

“Pets often won’t show pain. Even pets with sore gums, infected mouths and broken teeth will continue to eat so owners may not see any problems,” Dr Sheedy said.

So how can you tell if your dog or cat has a toothache?

“Your pet’s breath should not smell bad. Bad breath is a sign of infection. Gums may be red and inflamed and the teeth stained with tartar or they may start dropping food.

“Annual dental health checks are an ideal opportunity for owners to find out if their pet has existing problems which have gone unnoticed. Dental health checks also help ensure bacteria and poisons from dental infections do not spread to the heart, liver and kidneys through the blood stream.

“We also recommend regular tooth brushing and many cats and dogs can be trained to enjoy having their teeth brushed, especially if you start at an early age.”

Dr Sheedy said about 80% of adult animals have some degree of dental disease, which becomes more severe with age.

The Toowoomba Veterinary Hospital offers free dental checks for all animals throughout the year.

If you would like to have the teeth of your animal checked, contact The Toowoomba Veterinary Hospital on 46328333 to make an appointment.

Lil Motor, who was found in a car engine compartment downtown, was adopted within hours upon his arrival at Cat Adoption Team.Cat Adoption Team

“The really happy truth is that for the majority of cats stuck in cars, most of the time they’re OK, as long as they don’t get caught by moving parts like a belt or fan,” says DoveLewis veterinarian Dr. Christy Michael.

Lacerations, burns and soft tissue damage are all potential injuries that can result when an unsuspecting driver turns on the engine.

Dove, the kitten caught in the brakes, suffered from what veterinarians call a “degloving” injury, involving an extensive loss of skin and deeper tissues. Veterinary staff at Multnomah County Animal Services amputated her right front leg.

DoveLewis veterinarians treating Dove.DoveLewis

Cats in cars “is typically more of something you’d see in the winter because cats are heat-seeking,” says Heather Svoboda, communications and development manager for Cat Adoption Team.

Dove and Lil’ Motor, the cat stuck in the engine compartment, were likely seeking escape from heat and predators, says Dr. Heidi Houchen of VCA Northwest Veterinary Specialists in Clackamas.

She estimates the hospital treats about five to 10 cases a year of cats injured from hiding in cars.

The best way to prevent such injuries is to issue a warning first. If your keys make a beeping sound when you lock or unlock the doors, click on them.

You can also tap on the hood, honk on the horn, peek under the car and check your wheels. Keep your ears tuned for meowing.

“That’s really how both of the kittens were saved recently – people heard meowing inside,” Svoboda says.

If you find an unexpected passenger

If you hear something unusual when you start your engine, turn your car off immediately.

If there’s an unexpected passenger inside, slip on a pair of gloves to protect yourself. Wrap the cat in a towel, burrito-style, and take it to a veterinarian, Houchen says.

If her fur is besmirched with motor oil, however, try to bathe her before she begins to groom.

Dilute the motor oil with an edible oil, such as butter, Crisco or cooking oil – never use tea tree oil or eucalyptus oils, gasoline or paint thinners. Rub it on your fingers and work it into the cat’s fur.

Then bathe her with a mild dish soap (not dishwasher detergent, which is toxic to cats) such as Dawn, which Houchen recommends for its degreasing qualities.

If you need help removing the cat from your car in the first place, call your county animal control, the police non-emergency number or 911.

Callers can dial the shelter’s number at 503-988-7387 (the last four digits spell out “pets”).

After-hours calls will be forwarded to an answering service. If necessary, the answering service will contact East Wind Animal Service, which contracts with the shelter to provide emergency assistance.

“It’s the equivalent of an ambulance service for animals,” says MCAS director Mike Oswald.

Oswald also recommends that people call the county shelter or 911 if they spot a cat, dog or other animal in a parked car on a hot day.

With temperatures in the 90s lately, it’s extremely dangerous to leave an animal in a car for any length of time.

Lil’ Motor and Dove were lucky to be discovered by alert bystanders. Both kittens are now thriving in their new homes.

“Since bringing her home, she has been a little spitfire,” says Dove’s new owner, Lesley Herren. “There is so much joy just watching her discover and rule her domain (formerly our home).”

So the next time you hear something unusual around your car, follow your gut and open the hood.

Doreen Bolognini and her husband Nate think of themselves as nannies for pets.

And as with those who care for children, the two active retirees know they need to make a potential client at ease with the idea of allowing strangers into their home to provide care. So, they come with references, proof of bonding, insurance and clear background checks.

And once they’ve decided a client is a good fit, they will literally get down on their hands and knees for the job. But this is not to beg for the business.

Their unique crawl-through inspection allows them to check out a home from a pet’s vantage point, identifying potential safety hazards.

“The more information we have, the better we are going to be able to serve the client and keep the pet at a very low anxiety or stress level,” Doreen Bolognini says. They even ask if the pet tends to prefer a male or female sitter — because they can offer either.

The Bologninis own the 5-year-old Hamilton pet sitting company Tailored Home Care. They are among a growing number of experienced pet-care providers who make a living by regularly visiting pets home alone.

“We all have the same philosophy,” Nate Bolognini says. “We’re there for your pets when you can’t be.”

While there, the sitter will manage food, water, exercise and medications as needed, basically ensuring the safety of four-legged or tank-dwelling family members. To sweeten the deal, most will also bring in your mail, water plants and turn on evening lights for a lived-in look while you’re away.

During peak vacation season, pet sitters are in greater demand as an alternative to boarding for pet owners who can’t take the dog along or who know that cats are probably better left at home, along with pets that live in cages or glass tanks.

Pet sitters say that keeping a pet in its familiar surroundings will reduce stress and the risk of illness that can be transmitted in a group setting. Adhering as closely as possible to a pet’s regular routine also can reduce separation anxiety, they say. This is especially important for cats, who tend to be more attached to the predictable than dogs.

“Cats want the same good day repeated over and over again,” explains veterinarian Peter Falk, a spokesman for the New Jersey Veterinary Medical Association. But dogs, who are much more flexible, might not miss the family as much as the people imagine, Falk notes. “There are some boarding establishments where the dogs have so much fun that is it like the dogs are on vacation while the people are on vacation.” A decision to board pets at home should consider the pet’s temperament as well as the owner’s needs, he says.

“If a person has five or six cats, it may be easier for them to have someone come to their home than to try to board five or six cats,” says Falk, a managing partner at Ocean County Veterinary Hospital, which offers boarding services in Lakewood. But whether it’s a sitter for one cat or half a dozen, Falk says: “You have to have a very good pet sitter who will be able to know if something is not right.”

That was the case with Erika Groder-Gosnell who recalls sitting for a cat that had been misdiagnosed as being constipated before her owners left for their honeymoon.

“She would be not that interested in her food, and she seemed a little tired,” recalls Groder-Gosnell, owner of Erika’s Thoughtful Paws, a pet-sitting and dog-walking company she operates from her Fanwood home. Because of the diagnosis, she initially decided to simply observe the cat more closely on subsequent visits. “On the next visit, she was hiding in the closet. When cats are sick, they will hide like that.”

Groder-Gosnell, who was authorized to take the cat to the vet, would learn that the cat was very ill, in the final stages of renal failure. She needed to travel a significant distance to a veterinary hospital she knew would be open during the evening of a holiday weekend. “I knew already what was going on,” she said. “I had seen it before in other cats. My own cat had kidney disease,” she said. “That is how they go.”

The cat, Jada, lived long enough for her owners to return home and say good-bye. Groder-Gosnell recalls the events among her most challenging pet-sitting experiences. While she does have Red Cross training in CPR for animals, she has no other animal-related training. Like many professional pet sitters, Groder-Gosnell, 40, is simply an experienced pet owner who has a way with animals.

But she’s also a college graduate and trained chef who went to work for a medical office after the demands of restaurant work became too much. Groder-Gosnell is among those for whom pet-sitting is self-employment that offers more control over earnings and work life after retiring or getting laid off. But many acknowledge that pet-sitting means having very few days off.

Groder-Gosnell is among sitters who are members of both the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (PetSitters.org) and Pet Sitters International (PetSit.com). The organizations help members generate business with online referral listings by state that give pet sitter contact information with the pets they will handle.

Both organizations will certify members who have completed certain online training courses, and both encourage their members to become bonded and insured should a pet be injured or a client’s home be damaged. The organizations do not certify the skill level of every member or ensure that each has been bonded, had a background check or is properly insured. However, members of both groups pay an annual fee for access to benefits including bonding services, liability insurance, and educational and networking resources. That, the organizations say, demonstrates a more serious commitment to pet-sitting as a business, and to owners building their skills and business savvy through access to pet health and safety information and experienced guidance.

How to hire a pet sitter

Referrals from pet-owning friends and family are probably the best way to find a good pet sitter, but pet owners also can find experienced pet sitters offering their services on websites such as DogVacay and Rover. Those using these sites should be cautioned that they allow anyone to offer pet-watching services, and usually it’s at the sitter’s home instead of the pet owner’s.

And while a youngster offering to watch pets to earn money over the summer isn’t necessarily bad news, sitters such as the Bologninis note that there is a difference in hiring a professional.

And professional pet sitters will be evaluating the pet owner just as the owner evaluates them. A good match is important, they say.

Most professional pet sitters will have a business website that includes a roster of services and associated fees. Nationwide, pet sitting prices range from $13 to more than $50 per visit, with most services charging $15 to $20 per visit, according to a recent National Association of Professional Pet Sitters member survey.

Both the NAPPS and PSI recommend starting the search for a pet sitter as early as possible, interviewing the sitter in advance by phone, and setting up in-person meetings with promising candidates to see how they interact with your pet. Be sure to ask the following questions during an initial interview:

• Is the pet sitter insured and bonded?

• Can the pet sitter provide proof of clear criminal history?

• Has the pet sitter provided client references?

• How frequently will the sitter visit your pet, and what is the charge per visit and associated services?

• Will the sitter be able to handle any special needs your pet may have?

• Will the pet sitter agree to your requirements in a contract or services agreement?

• Has the pet sitter had any special training, such as pet first aid?

• Will the pet sitter be available for a phone interview and an in-person meeting to ensure compatibility with your pet?

• Does the sitter have a backup in place in the event they become ill or otherwise unavailable?

• Will the sitter have daily email, phone or text availability during reasonable hours?

Does your pet get stressed out every time the creature spends a few nights at a boarding kennel?

While most of these facilities and their dedicated staffs provide excellent care for visiting four-footed guests, many pet experts and owners agree that some cats and dogs, especially elderly animals or those suffering from a chronic illness, fare better in their own home when their owner is away.

New Bedford resident Michelle Roy, founder of Reigning Cats ‘n Dogs Pet Sitting Service, started the growing business eight years ago after working part-time in an art gallery and for more than 12 years in human services.

“I loved animals all of my life, and I was looking for a job that involved animals,” begins Roy, explaining her decision to start a pet sitting service. “I transitioned from human services to humane services.”

Roy adds that she considered other pet-related employment options but didn’t think she’d be a good match for these jobs. One day, while relaxing on the beach with friends, she thought about becoming a pet sitter.

“A light bulb went off telling me to establish a pet sitting service and then the name popped into my head as if it was meant to be,” Roy recalls.

After conducting exhaustive research about starting her own business and becoming self-employed, Roy says she initially had many doubts because of the poor economy that was causing many new start-ups to fail. She also questioned whether people would actually spend money to hire a pet sitter, but despite her reservations, Roy took a leap of faith and has never looked back.

She successfully completed a lengthy correspondence course offered by the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, based in New Jersey, became certified by the organization, and is bonded and insured.

“It isn’t a luxury, but rather it’s a necessity for a lot of people,” Roy shares. The popular pet sitter cares for cats, dogs, a few birds, and says she wouldn’t rule out caring for reptiles. Her clients include folks who are on vacation, in the hospital, traveling for work, or in some cases, people who work long hours and simply want their pet to receive some TLC and exercise during the day.

Roy believes that many pets cope better at home when their owner is away because the creature is familiar with the environment, has an established routine that a pet sitter tries earnestly to maintain, and doesn’t have to adjust to unfamiliar sounds and odors.

“Familiar surroundings keep the anxiety level down,” Roy says, adding that she has taken care of some pets for several years and the creatures know her when she walks through the door.

Before taking on a new client, an owner must complete a detailed form highlighting the animal’s habits, food preferences, medical history and other pertinent information. Veterinary documentation is required if the pet has a seizure disorder or is insulin dependent. Roy also visits the pet and discusses her services with animal’s “pet parent” before an agreement is reached.

Roy’s visits last about 30-40 minutes, depending on the number of pets living in the household. Visits include feeding and providing fresh water, exercising, scooping feline litter boxes, offering treats and a few minutes of quality play time. While Roy does not groom her canine and feline charges, one cat loves to be brushed and is usually content with a short beauty treatment.

According to Roy, some clients request overnight pet sitting, which includes watering plants and gardens, as well as retrieving the mail and newspapers.

The pet sitter currently serves communities extending from South Dartmouth to Acushnet and Rochester, and has a few special clients in Mattapoisett and Marion.

Roy, who recently began taking week long vacations just to rest, admits that business is good and has surpassed her expectations. She has an on-call assistant to help when her schedule gets hectic.

“In this business, it’s important to have a high energy level,” Roy emphasizes.

“Every day is different,” the popular pet sitter says. “I can’t imagine working in an office 9-5 every day.”

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PORTLAND, Ore., June 8, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Portland veterinarian Dr. Rick White of Cedar Mill Veterinary Hospital is urging pet owners throughout the area to keep their pets up-to-date on their monthly parasite prevention medications. Vigilance is always necessary in Oregon, he says; fleas, ticks and mosquitoes are almost always feeding, and cats and dogs are high on their list of food sources. When these insects bite, they can transmit a number of diseases and parasites that sicken and sometimes kill companion animals, and even humans. Dr. White says that cats and dogs living in Oregon should stay on their monthly doses of flea, tick and heartworm preventatives all year round.

Dr. White explains that Oregon pets are never out of the woods when it comes to potential infection from biting insects. “As a Portland veterinarian, I see flea infestations all year. The Oregon climate never kills them off. Ticks are really active and biting in the spring and summer, and mosquitoes can be a problem almost all year in some places. So there just isn’t any safe season to let your pet’s flea and tick medications and heartworm preventatives lapse.”

According to Dr. White, fleas are a serious annoyance at their best and a disease-spreader at their worst. Pets suffering flea infestations frequently suffer flea-allergy dermatitis (FAD), which causes them to scratch, bite, and lick flea-bitten areas. This often leads to “hot spots” that become even more sore and infected without prompt treatment. Smaller pets often suffer anemia and even death from loss of blood. He adds that fleas can and do often spread tapeworms and diseases such as tularemia, Bartonella, typhus, and even plague.

Dr. White also urges pet owners not to underestimate ticks in the city. He says that with Portland’s abundant foliage and mild climate, ticks find havens in many Portland backyards. The most common tick-borne diseases for pets and humans in Oregon include Lyme disease, ehrlichiosis and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Monthly Heartworm medications are the best way to prevent both cats and dogs from getting this deadly mosquito-borne parasite, according to Dr. White. He says that heartworm larvae are implanted by biting mosquitoes. The larvae migrate to a pet’s heart where they grow into parasitic worms that eat the heart’s lining, blocking major blood vessels. He cautions that if a pet has not been on heartworm medications regularly, it is vital to have the pet tested for heartworm infection before giving preventative medication. If a pet is already infected with heartworm, other treatments need to be given first, or anaphylactic shock could result.

“Parasite prevention and control for pets is a year-round necessity here in Portland,” urges Dr. White.